Ever stood in front of a supermarket shelf trying to read labels, or figure out whether a particular food product meets specific dietary requirements? If so, this new App could make your shopping day!
Developed by GS1 Australia, and three years in the making, the GS1 GoScan App is targeted at people with allergies, intolerances and special dietary requirements (such as halal, kosher, vegetarian, coeliac, vegan and others), but is also useful for anyone interested in the nutritional make-up of a product.
“We know that Australians want to receive reliable product information quickly and easily, and the GS1 GoScan application does that,” said CEO of GS1 Australia Maria Palazzolo.
Ms Palazzolo said that there are more than 70 brands on board and thousands of products in the GS1 database – but more are required to help meet the needs of shoppers.
GS1 spokesperson, dietitian Joanna McMillan, said that research on Australia’s dietary needs has found that 30% of adults have special dietary needs and 24% of parents prepare a special diet for their children.
“This App is going to make life so much easier,” said Dr McMillan.
“Previously, the onus has been on consumers to read the label and know what is, and isn’t suitable for them. With this App, shoppers can either search for the product or scan the barcode and you immediately know whether it has allergens that affect you, what the product comprises and its nutritional value.”
She said that research conducted for GS1 Australia revealed that nearly 70% of people have made themselves unwell by misreading or misinterpreting a food label and half admit that the information on food labels is too technical for them to understand.
Dr McMillan said the GS1 GoScan App is also “fantastic” for health professionals such as dietitians as it means that their clients have access to the information they need.
“The important thing is you can trust the information as it comes from the brands themselves.”
The App was developed in association with major retailers, local and international food companies, universities, health advocacy organisations and the Australian Food and Grocery council.
You can download the App for free at the App store in Australia and New Zealand. For further information visit GoScan.
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Joanna McMillan explains more about the GS1 GoScan App here.
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